Cricket

Nigel Small’s half-century in vain as 27 Regiment RLC crowned Army T20 champions

9th September 2026 at 11:39am

27 Regiment RLC are crowned Army cricket champions for the first time

Aldershot-based 27 Regiment RLC claimed their maiden Army cricket crown thanks to a 13-run victory in the final over fellow RLC rivals, 6 Regiment.

The deciding clash of the new-look T20 Army Major Units competition took place at the Army Cricket Ground.

The game saw 27 Regiment put into bat first and despite boasting Army Senior team player Keddy Lesporis, they struggled against the opposition bowlers.

Lesporis was out cheaply early on, scoring just 11 runs. He was the first wicket to fall with the score 14-1.

6 Regiment skipper Nigel Small was in inspired form with the ball, taking three wickets for just five runs. Teammate Kiera Finlan took two wickets in two balls as 27 Regiment faltered at the crease.

At one stage, the batting side were 69-7 midway through their innings.

Sensing his side could be dismissed for a below-par score, 27 Regiment captain Afiba Alexander gave the innings impetus with a run a ball 32. In the end, his side posted a respectable 150 all out.

The run chase saw 6 Regiment lose Ashik Gurung early for a duck, but Small and opener Savinder Singh soon began to pile on the runs.

In next to no time, Small reached his half century but having steered his side within touching distance of the silverware, he miscued a shot into the clutches of fielder of Derrick Charles.

Small had to depart for 56, a knock that came off 37 balls including three sixes and six fours with the score 98 for two. Singh was dismissed soon after for 34 runs and the 6 Regiment innings failed to recover.

Instead, a steady stream of tumbling wickets followed as Alexander (2-17) and Harry Page (3-12) marshalled 27 Regiment to their first Army Major Units title.